Hunter Pence’s deal: He wanted it, SF Giants needed it

Hunter Pence got the biggest laugh at his press conference Sunday when he explained his intense, 15-minute conversation with Giants president Larry Baer Friday night.

“As far as the conversation in the clubhouse,” Pence said, “we were talking about the Willie Mac Award and how much it meant to me.”

No, they were talking about a contract that Pence wanted and the Giants needed. There was no doubt who had the leverage here.

Pence could have ventured into free agency and probably gotten the same five-year, $90 million deal he signed Sunday. Time was on his side, and as recently as Thursday he and the team were so far apart in negotations a quick deal seemed like a long shot.

In contrast, the Giants had many reasons not only to make it happen, but make it happen now, as they completed one of the most disappointing seasons ever for a team coming off a World Series championship.

What better way to declare their intent to contend again in 2014 by sending everyone home for the winter knowing that one of the team’s most popular and important offensive players would be back next year and beyond?

“Signing Hunter back is as much about the future as it is the message that this sends the clubhouse as the players depart today,” assistant general manager Bobby Evans said. “They’re going to get a very strong message about the commitment of this organization, but they’re also getting a very strong message from one of their key leaders, Hunter Pence.”

Giants president Larry Baer echoed that sentiment and added, “It sends an important message to the fans.”

Indeed, the Giants will have to work harder to sell tickets after a year like this. Pence’s deal is part of the sales pitch.

The fans are not the only important audience. The Giants also wanted to send a clear signal about their commitment to winning to other potential free agents, including the starting pitcher who dresses right next to him.

“Hopefully there’s an opportunity to bring Timmy back in short order,” Evans said. “That’s our hope. We don’t intend to wait. If Timmy’s willing to work with us we’re willing to do that, and that’s the impression I’m getting, that they would like to work with us.”

If it happens, you can bet Baer will get intimately involved. A source credited Evans with keeping the talks alive when the sides seemed at an impasse. As often happens in deals of this magnitude, however, things accelerated only when ownership stepped in.

The deal is straightforward: no signing bonus, a full no-trade clause and salaries of $16.5 million in 2014 and $18.5 million in each of the four subsequent years.

It could not have happened without Pence’s desire to remain a Giant, which always seemed sincere.

“I understand the responsibility that comes along with five years, a pretty big investment,” he said. “It’s not going to be taken lightly by me. . . . I’m extremely happy and extremely motivated. I don’t think there’s any part of me that’s going to be stagnant and OK with where I’m at today.”

Manager Bruce Bochy called Pence “a manager’s dream. I don’t know how we could have replaced what Hunter does on and off the field.”

Bochy had to get one lick in, and it generated a lot of laughs.

“I think the best compliment I could give you, Hunter, if I had a kid and he came out to watch a ballgame, I’d say watch Hunter Pence,” Bochy said. “Watch how he plays the game, the passion that he plays with. To be honest, I might not have him watch you throw or your on-deck swings.”